For Your Pleasure: 14 Different Types of Condoms

Sex toys? Pssht. Lingerie? All fine and good. But the sexiest thing you can do in bed is whip out that condom and have some hot, safe, worry-free sex. There are all kinds of condoms out there, and getting to know your preference will take some experimenti

By
Jessica Herman

Apr 12, 2013

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Latex

These are the most commonly used types of rubbers, proven to prevent pregnancy (about 85 percent effective) and STDs from spreading—plus they stretch, which is good for those big guys. They are not, however, to be mixed with oils, says Bill Albert, chief program officer at the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy. The oil can cause the condom to break or slip more easily. Use a water-or silicon-based lube instead.

early2bedshop.com

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Non-Latex

If you or your guy is allergic to latex, no excuses for not using condoms. There are polyurethane sheaths that block sperm and most viruses, too. Searah Deysach, owner of the female-friendly sex shop Early to Bed, recommends Lifestyles Skyn if you're going the non-latex route. They're thin and come in two sizes, unlike most non-latex varieties.

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Lambskin

Fun fact: Olden-day condoms were made from intestines! These days, the most popular animal membrane condoms are lambskin (if the idea of another animal's skin doesn't give you the creeps), but BIG WARNING: They fail to protect against STDs and aren't as highly effective as latex condoms at preventing pregnancy.

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Spermicide-Free (vs. Spermicide)

Rubbers with spermicide are intended to offer double the protection by killing sperm with a chemical-laced lube. (Just in case you thought about doubling up with two condoms instead for extra protection, it's not a good idea as they're more likely to tear.) But, unsurprisingly, plenty of folks have allergic reactions to the stuff. If you're having issues down there, this would be one of the first factors to rule out by using spermicide-free condoms.

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The Female Condom

"It's not the prettiest thing in world. It kind of looks like a floppy elephant trunk, but it provides women with more control than the male condom since women insert it themselves rather relying on the guy to put a condom on," says Albert. The downside? Effectivity is slightly less than the traditional male condom, and female condoms are typically more expensive, averaging around $18 for a box of five. But put it in terms of about $3 for a roll in the hay and the price is easier to swallow.

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Textured

Dotted, ribbed, studded…sounds more like a piece of a jewelry than something that goes in your pleasure zone. But the various textures are designed to increase stimulation as you get it on. The possible downside? Deysach says some women report the textures rub them the wrong way (literally).

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Tantric-Style

No, this doesn't mean the condom is covered in instructions for how to get it on tantric-style. Instead, these guys are embellished with tattoo-esque designs, also textured for pleasure, if you want to look at a pretty penis while you go down on him.

tantric.onecondoms.com

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Ultra Thin

"My thickness chart ranges from the thinnest at about .0016 inches with the thickest being .003 inches," says Deysach. "It's not a huge variation but for some people who say the sensation is reduced by using a condom, looking for thinner is a good choice and just as safe." Deysach recommends ultra-thin styles from Crown, Kimono and Beyond Seven.

early2bedshop.com

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For Her Pleasure

All hail the classic Trojans that gave us a giggle in the drugstore back in the day. Now it's no laughing matter: We're straight-up grateful for the "enlarged head (causing heat-induced friction)" and ribbed shaft to hopefully awaken the g-spot.

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For His Pleasure

Believe it or not, there are condoms designed to make his experience better, too (beyond boosting his ego with an XL label). The Pleasure Plus, for instance, comes with a flared tiny pouch-like top with internal ribbing, creating extra friction as his member goes in and out.

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Shared Pleasure

If sex has taught us anything, it's that it's possible to please and be pleased simultaneously. Cap off the foreplay getting even more hot and bothered—literally—with Trojan's Fire & Ice. Coated with warming lube on the inside and out, it's designed to rev both parties engines, though Deysach cautions, "I associate burning genitalia with something that's bad. It may sound exciting, but it can be a really uncomfortable sensation that's also hard to get off." Or try the Twisted variety (not that kind of twisted), with a special "twisted" tip for added friction for him and her.

condomdepot.com

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Charitable Condoms

Feel extra giving when you're also receiving? The Sir Richard brand of condoms allows you to give a little more by donating one condom for every one that you buy. Bonus: They're vegan (of course, for this do-gooder set) and lack that latex flavor and smell.

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Flavored

If you've ever tried a flavored rubber, you know some can be tasty (like this pina colada-flavored lube) while others are just gag-inducing. Deysach recommends the vegan Glyde variety, which comes in flavors including vanilla, strawberry and, um, licorice? But again if you have a sensitive vagina and find your skin reacting post-coital, eliminate the flavored varieties to see if that's the problem.

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Glow in the Dark

Does the Star Wars light saber secretly turn you on? You're in luck. When all the lights are off, slip a glow-in-the-dark Night Light umbrella over his penis and get busy with his personal glowstick. Designed with three layers—a middle one with phosphorous pigment and inner and outer latex layers—this guy is FDA-approved and effective.